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11M1 Career Guide

Air Force

11M1: Mobility Aircraft Pilot

Career transition guide for Air Force Mobility Aircraft Pilot (11M1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 11M1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$180K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) CertificateSpecific aircraft type rating (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320)

Corporate Pilot

$140K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) CertificateSpecific aircraft type ratingExcellent customer service skills

Flight Instructor

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ratingStrong communication and teaching skills

Aviation Safety Inspector

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Safety Inspector trainingIn-depth knowledge of aviation regulations (FARs)

Logistics Manager

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)Proficiency in logistics softwareProject management skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 11M1 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a mobility aircraft pilot, you constantly monitor your surroundings, including weather, air traffic, fuel levels, and the status of your crew and aircraft, to maintain a safe and effective flight environment.

This translates to a heightened ability to perceive and understand the dynamics of complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make proactive decisions to maintain stability and achieve goals.

Rapid Prioritization

During flight, you're often faced with unexpected events or changing mission parameters. You must quickly assess the situation, prioritize actions, and make critical decisions to ensure mission success and the safety of your crew and aircraft.

This skill enables you to quickly identify the most important tasks in a dynamic environment, delegate effectively, and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on critical objectives.

Team Synchronization

You are responsible for leading a diverse crew and ensuring everyone works together seamlessly. This requires clear communication, coordination, and the ability to motivate and direct individuals to achieve a common goal.

Your experience fostering a cohesive team environment within the high-stakes setting of military aviation equips you with the tools to create a similar environment in a civilian setting, maximizing team performance and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict procedures and protocols is paramount to safety and mission success. You're trained to meticulously follow checklists, regulations, and established guidelines to minimize risk and ensure consistent performance.

Your dedication to protocol ensures consistency, reduces errors, and promotes safe and efficient operations within any organization.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been orchestrating complex missions involving aircraft, personnel, and cargo. Your experience in planning, coordinating, and executing these operations translates directly to managing supply chains, distribution networks, and logistical challenges in various industries.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9151.00

You've been responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing complex flight missions from start to finish, coordinating diverse teams and resources to achieve specific objectives under strict deadlines and regulations. This mirrors the responsibilities of a project manager in the civilian sector, where your skills in planning, resource management, and team leadership will be highly valuable.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to respond to crises, assess risks, and make critical decisions under pressure. Your skills in planning, coordinating, and executing emergency response plans can be directly applied to protecting communities and organizations from natural disasters, security threats, and other emergencies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), various Air Force Bases

280 training hours52 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended in Aviation Technology

Topics Covered

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Flight Planning
  • Air Traffic Control Procedures
  • Formation Flying
  • Low-Level Navigation
  • Tactical Airlift Procedures
  • Survival Training

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)70% covered

Specific aircraft type ratings (if transitioning to a different aircraft), some differences in FAA regulations vs. military procedures, and potentially some instrument proficiency differences.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)40% covered

May need to meet specific flight hour requirements, complete an ATP-CTP course, and pass the ATP written and practical exams. Military flight hours often transfer, but review FAA requirements.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)50% covered

Focus on business management principles specific to aviation, financial management, and human resources as they apply in a civilian aviation context.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
C-17 Globemaster IIIBoeing 777 Freighter
KC-135 StratotankerCommercial air-to-air refueling services
C-130J Super HerculesLockheed Martin LM-100J Commercial Freighter
Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES)Cargo management software (e.g., Descartes, BluJay)
Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS)Automated cargo delivery systems, drone delivery platforms
AN/APN-241 Weather Avoidance RadarCommercial weather radar systems (e.g., Honeywell IntuVue)
Heads-Up Display (HUD)Augmented reality displays for pilots (e.g., Garmin HUD)

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